The San Diego Padres and right-hander Yu Darvish have agreed to a six-year extension through the 2028 season.
The deal is worth $108 million, sources told MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell and Mark Feinsand.
Darvish, 36, was eligible for free agency after the 2023 season and was owed $18 million. This deal replaces that one and will now keep the five-time All-Star in San Diego through his age-41 season. He will turn 42 in August of his last year on the deal.
While the deal’s average annual value is $18 million, the contract is reportedly loaded up front and will pay Darvish $30 million for the upcoming season, Feinsand adds.
This is the third six-year contract Darvish has accepted in his career. He originally signed a six-year, $60 million deal with the Texas Rangers as an international free agent in 2012. He also signed a six-year, $126 million deal with the Chicago Cubs upon reaching free agency before the 2018 season. ..
Darvish in the 2022 season
Last year, Darvish he enjoyed one of his most dominant campaigns. He authored a 3.10 ERA and a 3.31 FIP in 194 2/3 innings while making 30 starts, earning him National League Cy Young consideration. Despite posting the worst strikeout rate of his career, Darvish was stingy with walks, with the fourth-best K-BB rate among qualified starters in the National League, trailing only Carlos Rodon, Aaron Nola, and Corbin. Burnes.
A veteran of 10 seasons over 11 years, who missed the 2015 season due to Tommy John surgery, Darvish has a 3.50 ERA and 3.46 FIP in 242 games. He has finished second in the Cy Young twice in his career: once in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season with the Cubs and the other in 2013 with the Rangers.
This is the latest move in a busy winter for the Friars, who have landed Xander Bogaerts, Nelson Cruz, Matt Carpenter, Seth Lugo, and Adam Engel in free agency.
